It's official - Beecher's Handmade Cheese will be opening a new store in New York City in 2011. The concept will be similar to the current operation at Seattle's Pike Place Market (pictured above) - a combination cheese factory, cheese shop and food marketplace. According to an article in the Seattle Times, Kurt Dammeier, Beecher's proprietor, sees the huge population base of Manhattan as a prime marketing opportunity for Beecher's cheeses as well as its other products (such as the frozen macaroni and cheese, crackers and etc.). I've no doubt that even jaded New Yorkers will be captivated by the open viewing format and the play-by-play cheesemaking action - there's just something about it that draws you in and makes you want to eat (and buy) cheese.

Look for the shop to open in February of 2011. See the full article in the Seattle Timeshere.